Performance Requirements:Introduction: In 2005, the Pacific States Marine Fisheries
Commission proposes to monitor and index the downstream migration of juvenile
salmonids at two locations on the Columbia River, John Day
and Bonneville Dams.

At John Day Dam, sampling will occur in the juvenile monitoring facility from April 1 to September 15. An earlier start up date is possible if needed to accommodate research activities. All fish passing through the system will be interrogated for PIT tags.

The first powerhouse bypass system will not be operational in 2005. Consequently, operation of the flat plate, as well as channel water level and fish condition monitoring activities are suspended for another year.

The Hamilton Island Juvenile Monitoring Facility (JMF) will be the primary sampling
site at Bonneville and will generate Fish Passage Indices (FPI) from fish passing through the second powerhouse bypass system. Samples will be collected 24 hours per day
and processed one to two times daily from March through October.

SCOPE
This project is part of a larger Smolt Monitoring Program coordinated by the Fish Passage Center and mandated by the National Marine Fisheries Service Biological Opinion and the Northwest Power Planning Councils Fish and Wildlife Program. The program provides the fish passage managers with data used in flow and spill management designed to optimize out-migration conditions for juvenile salmon. The data are also used to gauge the migration timing and magnitude and to calculate survival and travel time
estimates. The program also contributes to the compilation of historic or continual regional databases that characterize species-specific salmon migration patterns, incidental species abundance, and fish condition changes. Operation of PIT tag equipment at these sites adds to the regional PIT tag database and forms the basis for evaluation of much of the research that occurs in the basin.

METHODS

John Day Dam

This facility uses a 3 way rotational gate to collect 2 to 6 subsamples per hour and
direct them into the sample tank. Samples are collected 24 hours per day, seven days per week. Sample rate is adjusted to capture about 500 fish per day in the spring and 250 fish per day in the fall. Fish are held until 0700 when they are processed. Additional processing may occur around midday, depending on conditions and fish numbers.
Non-sampled fish go directly to the river via a bypass flume. All fish are interrogated for a PIT tag. The 3-way gate is also used to collect research fish using the Separation by Code (S by C) system. Research fish can be diverted to one of two holding tanks in the lab using the two-way rotating gate that is located on the S by C flume downstream of the 3-way gate.

Bonneville Dam

Hamilton Island Juvenile Monitoring Facility (JMF)
The JMF, which samples fish from the second powerhouse, will be the primary sampling site at Bonneville. Fish Passage Indices will be calculated from the samples. The facility is equipped with a 3-way rotating gate used for collecting research fish using the SbyC system and diverting them into one of two tanks. On the center flume, or bypass flume, downstream of the 3-way gate, there is a 2-way gate that collects the timed subsample for smolt monitoring. Two to six subsamples are collected per hour, 24 hours per day and processed first at 0700, and possibly again at midday, depending
on conditions and fish numbers. Sample rates are adjusted to collect about 500 fish per day in the spring and 250 fish per day in the fall. Personnel will be on site 24 hours per day to monitor dewatering screens and holding tanks, and fish distribution flumes.

Reporting Requirements
An annual report will be submitted to Bonneville Power Administration and the
Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission. Weekly reports will be generated and distributed to interested parties.

Target completion dates for the annual report:

Draft annual report - December 15
Final annual report - January 31

OBJECTIVES and TASKS

Objective 1. Plan for Smolt Monitoring activities at John Day and Bonneville Dams.
Task 1. Estimate staffing and supply needs for John Day and Bonneville based on the FPC outline at the time of the request, usually in September.
Task 2. Write a draft work statement and calculate a draft budget for those
activities and submit to FPC and PSMFC.
Task 3.Request Authorization from the CoE to conduct SMP activities at the
Dams.
Task 4.Determine recruitment, hiring, and training schedules
Task 5.Edit job announcements, position descriptions, performance evaluation
forms and software.
Task 6.In conjunction with PSMFC HR Department, initiate recruitment by
distributing job announcements to a variety of locations.
Task 7. Review applications, conduct interviews, check references, and make job
offers.
Task 8. Purchase needed supplies and materials, upgrade computers and software
as needed.
Task 9. Review and edit material in the Standard Operating Procedures manual.
Task 10. Review, update and modify data gathering, storage, and analysis
software and programs as needed. Includes updating of documentation.

Objective 2. Implement plans and start sampling at John Day (JDA) April through Sept 15, and at the Hamilton Island Juvenile Monitoring Facility (JMF) March through October.
Task 1. Orient new employees referencing the PSMFC Personnel Handbook, CoE
policies and procedures and on site tours.
Task 2. Conduct extensive training in system operation, species and mark
identification, data collection and recording, fish handling, anesthetization,
safety, first aid, CPR, harassment, emergency response and others as needed.
Task 3. Determine work schedules and review with staff.
Task 4. Sample fish daily throughout the monitoring season at John Day and the JMF at Bonneville.
Task 5. Collect species, condition, and external mark detail from all sampled
fish.
Task 6. Collect detailed condition and length data from a subsample of the
sample.
Task 7. Collect hourly averages for river flow, powerhouse, and spill and
calculate a 24-hour average.
Task 8. Count and identify all incidental species caught in the samples.
Task 9. Tally, review, enter into computer and transmit all data to FPC daily.
Task 10. Conduct Quality Control tests to insure consistency between coworkers.
Task 11. Coordinate and assist with research activities as appropriate.

Objective 3. Conduct microscopic exams looking for
symptoms of Gas Bubble Trauma (GBT) at the Hamilton Island
Juvenile Facility, Bonneville Dam April through August.
Task 1. Complete the USGS training program prior to season start up.
Task 2. Set up workstation in the JMF.
Task 3. Collect samples and conduct exams twice per week- according to the FPC-GBT program protocols, April thru August.
Task 4. Record on data sheets, enter into spreadsheets and transmit data.
Task 5. Record all species ID, condition, external mark, and incidental catch data.
Task 6. Assist researchers by providing ID and procedure training and directing day to day activities of researchers assigned to help process fish.

Objective 4. At the Hamilton Island Juvenile Monitoring Facility: monitor fish passageways and equipment operation between the switchgates to insure safe fish passage.
Note: PSMFC, BPA and the CoE agree that this objective and the associated tasks are the responsibility of the CoE but all parties have agreed to fund this work through the smolt monitoring program. However, a "level funding" requirement resulted in a budget shortfall prompting the FPC to omit this Objective from our program unless money was added specifically for it. That decision was not yet made when I submitted this, so I left it in with this qualifier, "execution of this objective is dependent on funding".
Task 1. Conduct regular inspections, record results, and make adjustments as
needed to fish passageways, dewatering screens, and holding tanks, between the
upstream and downstream switchgates. Enter data into spreadsheet.
Task 2. Maintain clean dewatering screens throughout the system using
mechanical and manual means as necessary.
Task 3. Monitor water levels and adjust as needed to maintain optimum passage
conditions.
Task 4. Monitor the fish and debris separator bars, remove kelts, record and
report incidence.